Swedish broadcaster SVT has announced that it will undo a previously announced change to the Melodifestivalen 2026 format, keeping the beloved national selection’s structure closer to what fans have known in recent years.
What led to the change
Sweden’s public broadcaster has opted to roll back a planned adjustment to the Melodifestivalen 2026 format. Under the original plan for Heat One, the announcement of the Final Qualifier was set to be revealed exclusively on SVT Play, rather than during the live SVT1 broadcast, as had traditionally been the case.
After receiving negative feedback from viewers, SVT has now confirmed that the Final Qualifier reveal will once again take place during the live television show. Addressing the decision, Anders Wistbacka stated:
“Viewers have experienced the shift from SVT1 to SVT Play negatively and we have taken that feedback into account. Starting with the next round, the entire Melodifestivalen will also be available to watch on SVT1.”
What we know about Melodifestivalen 2026
As we earlier reported, 30 songs will participate in Melodifestivalen 2026. Two songs will directly qualify for the final from each semi-final (which will consist of ten entries for the final).
The entry that placed third in each semi-final will still have a chance to make it to the final (which will be made up of five entries). Out of the five participants who placed third in each semi-final, the act with the highest score across all of the Semi-Finals will automatically be given a place in the final, with the remaining four acts fighting it out for the remaining spot. The act with the highest points from the vote will then be awarded the last spot in the final
As usual, Sweden’s Eurovision 2026 representative will be selected via a mixture of televoting and an international jury.
The dates and venues for the remaining shows this year are as follows:
- Semi-Final 2 – February 7 – Gothenburg – Scandinavium
- Semi-Final 3 – February 14 – Kristianstad – Kristianstad Arena
- Semi-Final 4 – February 21 – Malmö – Malmö Arena
- Semi-Final 5 – February 28 – Sundsvall – Gärdehov
- Final – March 7 – Stockholm – Strawberry Arena
Tickets for this year’s edition are able to be purchased right here.
Sweden’s Eurovision Journey
In 1958, Sweden made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest, with Alice Babs representing them with the song “Lilla stjärna”, which placed fourth. Since their debut, the Scandinavian nation has managed to win seven times (1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015 and 2023).
In 2025, Sweden was represented by Finnish group KAJ, singing “Bara bada bastu”. At the close of voting in the grand final, they had received 321 points, finishing in 4th place. 126 points were received by the juries, while the trio received 195 points from televoters.
Are you excited for this week’s show? Who would you like to see represent Sweden at Eurovision in 2026? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik-Tok as we prepare for Eurovision 2026!
News Source: SVT
Photo Credit: SVT
Tim J 
Euan T 
Samantha